Kunle Adelabu & Wale Jagun
It has been generally agreed that the representation of Rep. Babajimi Benson, representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in Abuja and Chairman, House Committee on Defense, has never been experienced before in term of quality lawmaking and impactful representation at the federal level, in the annals of Ikorodu Division.
The widely accepted view is based on the young lawmaker’s practical representation in term of projects facilitated, self – sponsored schemes, intervention programmes and quality lawmaking that people have been experiencing.
Though, Rep. Benson has pledged that he want to finish his second term strong, which implies that he is not resting on his oars yet, rather, planning to take his achievements in the last three years to its zenith in the next few months, with more projects and laws.
In an exclusive interview with THE IMPACT recently, the two – term lawmaker revealed that the remaining one year of four years of his second term would be used in constructing facilitated stadium for the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH); construction of more roads in Ibeshe, Eruwen and other places.
He also assured that the ongoing 80 – bed hospital which is nearing completion in Imota would be completed in matter of weeks and equipped with state – of – the – art – facilities as well as supplying solar power to thousands of homes and areas across the division.
Thus, the remaining one year in his four year term will not just be for campaign and pursuit of third term, but also, implementation of more impacting projects and laws.
In the last three years, Rep. Benson has greatly impacted on educational, road infrastructures, sporting, health, electrification and also has directly impacted on individual constituents in Ikorodu Federal Constituency with his monthly ‘Apo Anu’ Food Bank program which is providing food items to numerous families; annual distribution of vehicle to elders and youths and among other interventions.
THE IMPACT, while going round the six Local Government (LG) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the Ikorodu Federal Constituency to inspect projects, programs and other interventions by Rep. Babajimi Benson in the last three years of his second term as the representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, ffiled in this report on his outstanding performances.
EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES
Classrooms
19 schools across the Ikorodu Federal Constituency were impacted with blocks of classrooms.140 classrooms were constructed in total.
Ikorodu LG
1.Facilitation of Block of 3 Classrooms, African Bethel Pry School, Maya.
2. Facilitation of A story building of 10 Classrooms, Ayangburen Junior Secondary School, Ikorodu.
3. A block of 6 classrooms, St. Saviors Pry School, Gbaga, Ikorodu.
4. A block of 6 classrooms, Salvation Army Pry School, Ikorodu.
5. A Story building of 8 Classrooms, Community Junior School, Mowo Nla, Ikorodu.
Ikorodu West LCDA
1. A block of 3 classrooms, UPE Pry School, Ajaguro
2. A Story building of 8 Classrooms, LGA Pry School, Ipakodo
3. A Story building of 8 Classrooms, UPE Pry School, Ajaguro
4. A Story building of 8 Classrooms, Omolaye Pry School, Agbede
Ikorodu North LCDA
1. Block of 3 Classrooms, Zumratul Islamiyah Pry School, Odogunyan
2. A Story building of 8 Classrooms, Odogunyan Senior Secondary School
Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA
1.Block of 3 Classrooms, Owode Pry School,
2. A Story building of 8 Classrooms, Methodist Pry, Igbogbo
3. A block of 6 classrooms, Methodist Pry School, Elepe
Ijede LCDA
1. Block of 3 Classrooms, Methodist Primary School, Oke-Eletu
2. A Story building of 8 Classrooms, Luwasa Junior Secondary School, Ijede
Imota LCDA
1. Block of 3 Classrooms, Community Pry School, Imota
2. Block of 3 Classrooms, United Natives Africa Pry School, Igbalu
3. Block of 3 Classrooms , United Natives Africa Pry School, Oke-Agbo
ICT Centre
1.Facilitation of ICT Centre at Local Education Authority, Ikorodu.
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURES
About 30 roads have been facilitated by the lawmaker in the last three years. The road projects are done in such ways that they open up various communities and are made to connect each other and ultimately, links major roads. These roads aside reducing traffic within the federal constituency, has also contributed immensely to the social and economic developments of communities that they are cited.
For instance, about 15 roads have completed starting from Agbala Medical Centre along the Ikorodu – Shagamu Road and connects Benson did not just connected Ikorodu LG and Ikorodu North LCDA together, but also connects the Ikorodu – Shagamu to Ikorodu – Lagos Road, thereby providing alternative links for vehicles without going through the Sabo/Ikorodu garage roundabout which is always congested.
Ikorodu Central LG
1. Oguntuga Street
2. Igbeyin Adun Street
3. Olaore oshikoya Street
4. Ayodele Ayeni Street
5. Giwa Efugbotu Street
6. Adeyiga street (Benson state linking Munirat Aleje)
7. Abudu Benson Street linking Benson bus stop)
8. Ajeboriogbon Street, Sabo, Ikorodul
9. Kaz Avenue, Sabo, Ikorodu
10. Nike Olubodun Street, Sabo, Ikorodu
11. Ajoke Oduyebo Street, Sabo, Ikorodu
12. Ayangbadejo Street, Sabo, Ikorodu
13. Alashe street off police barracks Ikorodu
14. Igbamitayo street Ikorodu and
15. Ademoye street Ikorodu
Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA
16. Igbe road now Babajimi Benson road Igbogbo
17. Paul Palmer Street, Igbogbo
Ijede LCDA
18. Eluku street ijede
19. Sholumade street ijede
20. Olutusin street ijede
Ikorodu North LCDA
21. Oshin ladega Street Agbala, Ikorodu North LCDA
22. Amudat Jokomba Street, Ikorodu North LCDA
23. Olokunola Street, Ikorodu North LCDA
24. Oladunjoye Oriola Street (better food), Ikorodu North LCDA
ELECTRIFICATION
Transformers
22 transformers facilitated since 2019 and 10 more expected to be deplored by end of this year.
Facilitation of Transformer Isiwu
Facilitation of Transformer Mojoda, Olorunda
Facilitation of Transformer Apakin CDA, Gberigbe
Facilitation of Transformer Ijomu-Ifelodun CDA, Adaraloye, Ikorodu
Facilitation of Transformer Agunfoye
Facilitation of Transformer Aiyedun CDA Oko filling, Maya
Facilitation of Transformer Radio CDA, radio
Facilitation of Transformer Ifesowapo CDA Abule Eko
Facilitation of Transformer Peace estate CDA Igbo Olomu, Ishawo
Households Solar Powered System
About 4000 households has been provided with Solar powered system since 2019 and August this year.
1200 Solar Street lights also completed since 2019 with another 2000 more expected to be erected by the end of this year
Solar Streetlights Locations
1. Ita Elewa down to Ladega
2. Olubi Street
3. Isikalu Street
4. Ejina market, itun – Nla down to Obu – Ale market
5. Itamuto
6. Oriwu road down to Ita ona
7. Itunmeko
8. Itagbodo
9. Isele/ Agodo Alara
10. Otambala Street down to Aga junction
11. Odugate Street down to Oriwu Merchant.
12.Ipebi lane Ikorodu
13. Oba Fatola estate Igbogbo baiyeku Lcda
14. Ejina main market , Ikorodu
15. Obuale main market, Ikorodu
16. Obuale market, Imota
17. Obuale market, Iijede
18. Igbogbo night market (Club 24), Igbogbo
19. Allison market, Ikorodu
20. Isikalu Street Ikorodu central
21. Kajola Olayinka Street, Igbogbo
22. Agodo Alara Road, Odogunyan, Ikorodu North LCDA
22. Part of Owolowo Road
23. Isiwu, Ikorodu North LCDA
24. Liberty Street Ebute/ipakodo
25. May Flower Crescent, Ijede
26. Ikorodu Central Mosque.
27. Igbogbo Central Mosque, Odofin Road, Igbogbo.
28. Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ita – Elewa, Ikorodu
29. The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Aga, Ikoridu
30. Ishagamu Police Station
31. Police Barracks Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu
32. Area N Police Command
SPORTING FACILITIES
A mini – stadium at Ita – Elewa, Ikorodu
A mini – stadium, Lagos State University of Science & Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu (ongoing)
HEALTH
80 – Bed Hospital, Imota
Primary Health Centre, Agbele, Ikorodu
Primary Health Centre, Ibeshe
AGRICULTURE
Over 250 youths in Ikorodu Division were trained in various agricultural and entrepreneurship skills at the Army Resettlement Centre
EMPLOYMENT
35 Federal employment jobs were secured for constituents in Ikorodu
48 employment opportunities were also facilitated from the Lagos State and Local Government Councils
12 jobs were also secured at from the private sector for constituents under the period in review.
The 10 Bills sponsored by Hon Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) in the ongoing 9th Assembly are:
(i) Proceeds of Crime Management Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2019 (HB 64)
(ii) Good Samaritan Bill 2019 (HB 202)
(iii) Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB 681)
(iv) National Icons, Symbols Legacy Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2020 (HB 682).
The Bill seeks to allow for more coordinated and robust management of our national symbols.
(v) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020 (HB.740).
The Bill seeks to address the need for defined periodic population census in Nigeria.
(vi) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020, (HB 741)
The Bill is seeking to provide that State and Federal Governments shall have Concurrent Legislative Authority with respect to power and electricity within their States.
(vii) A bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Armed Forces Support Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2020. (HB 742).
(viii) Constitution of the Federal Respublic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020 (HB 1078)
A bill seeking that the Federal Government and the State Governments to have Concurrent Legislative Authority with respect to Railway, and matters related thereto.
(ix) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2020
The Bill seeks to alter the minimum educational qualification for aspirants into political office.
(x) A bill seeking for the removal of the Land Use Act from the constitution in order to make it flexible and similar to other Acts of the National Assembly.
(xi) Employees (Motivation) Bill, 2020 (HB 1175)
(xii) Defense Research and Development Bureau Bill, 2020 (HB 1176)
(xiii) Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill , 2021 (HB 1280)
(xiv) Armed Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB 1405)
(xv) Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (HB 1831)
Motions
Need to rehabilitate Ebute – Ogolonto Road that leads to Ikorodu Lighter Terminal and address the indiscriminate parking of trailers on the road (2019)
A motion to commemorate the World Teachers Day and celebration of Nigerian Teachers where the Best Teacher in Nigeria 2019, Mrs Agnes Elusakin of Oriwu College, Ikorodu, was honoured by the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and members of the House (2019).
Petition
A Petition was laid before the House of Representatives against the Accountant General of the Federation for his refusal to pay salaries and pension arrears of officers who retired from the Federal Civil Service between 2012 and now.
